Un Heros De La Guerre Du HK Menace De Desobeissance Civile

UN HEROS DE LA GUERRE DU HK MENACE DE DESOBEISSANCE CIVILE

ARMENIE

Hayots Achkhar, Haykakan Jamanak et Aravot rendent compte de la
conference de presse de Jirayr Sefilian, heros de la guerre du HK,
membre du mouvement civil anti-gouvernemental >, celui-ci ayant tente d’organiser un rassemblement au HK, le 31
janvier, sous le slogan >. [Pour memoire, l’entree des membres de ce mouvement sur
le territoire du HK a ete empechee, des troupes de la police karabatsie
ayant attaque leur procession de voitures. Une vingtaine de personnes,
dont Jirayr Sefilian, avaient ete blessees]. M. Sefilian a presente
des details de l’incident, en condamnant les actions de la police du
HK qu’il n’a pas hesite a qualifier d’>. Il a confirme
que le > du HK, d’autres > karabatsis,
mais aussi le Ministre de la Defense d’Armenie les avaient mis en
garde contre toute tentative de manifester au HK contre les autorites
armeniennes. M. Sefilian est alle jusqu’a qualifier les > du HK de >. Il a affirme que lui et ses associes allaient
de nouveau essayer de se rendre au HK pour y manifester. Par ailleurs,
M. Sefilian a fait savoir qu’il avait l’intention de constituer une > pour une > aux autorites. Il
a appele ceux qui souhaitaient ,
Hayots Achkhar (pro-gouvernemental) estime qu’en la personne de
Jirayr Sefilian et de son mouvement, on a affaire a un groupement
>.

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Armenie en
date du 12 fevrier 2015

jeudi 19 fevrier 2015, Stephane (c)armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

Islam : Declarations Provocantes D’Erdogan Et Davutoglu

ISLAM : DECLARATIONS PROVOCANTES D’ERDOGAN ET DAVUTOGLU

Publie le : 19-02-2015

Info Collectif VAN – –
Le Premier ministre Davutoglu a declare devant une vaste assemblee
a Zurich le mois dernier : >. En reponse
aux precedentes critiques europeennes a propos de la repression menee
par Erdogan sur les medias en Turquie, Erdogan a dit aux dirigeants
europeens : > puis il a ajoute
: >

Le vice-premier ministre, Numan Kurtulmus, qui accompagnait Erdogan
dans sa tournee africaine, a joue sans vergogne la carte de la race,
en disant aux populations locales : (noir) pour decrire les gens des classes populaires !

Pour ne pas etre en reste vis-a-vis d’Erdogan et de Kurtulmus en
matière d’arrogance ou de fanatisme religieux, le Premier ministre
Davutoglu a declare devant une vaste assemblee a Zurich le mois
dernier :

(c)Traduction de l’anglais C.Gardon pour le Collectif VAN – 19 fevrier
2015 –

http://www.collectifvan.org/article.php?r=0&id=85899
www.collectifvan.org
www.collectifvan.org

Turquie : La Liberte De L’information Menacee Par Le Nouveau Projet

TURQUIE : LA LIBERTE DE L’INFORMATION MENACEE PAR LE NOUVEAU PROJET DE LOI

Publie le : 19-02-2015

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN vous invite
a lire ce communique de presse publie sur le site de Reporters sans
frontières le 17 fevrier 2015.

Legende photo : Les journalistes et les activistes des droits de
l’homme protestent devant le palais de justice d’Istanbul le 22
novembre 2011.

RSF

Publie le mardi 17 fevrier 2015

La police aura les mains encore plus libres pour reprimer les
journalistes

Le 17 fevrier 2015 commence l’examen au Parlement d’un paquet de
reformes “sur la securite interieure”, qui doit considerablement
renforcer les prerogatives de la police. Ces amendements,
essentiellement diriges contre les manifestations, sont egalement
lourds de menaces pour la liberte de l’information.

Alors que les journalistes turcs font deja quotidiennement face a
l’arbitraire policier, un nouveau train de “reformes sur la securite
interieure” prevoit d’etendre de facon alarmante les pouvoirs des
forces de l’ordre. Ce projet de loi, elabore par le ministère de la
Justice, a ete introduit au Parlement fin novembre 2014, suite aux
emeutes les plus violentes qu’ait connu le pays depuis trente ans. Il
est examine en première lecture a partir du 17 fevrier 2015.

Si les reformes envisagees renforcent surtout la repression des
manifestations illegales, elles risquent aussi d’exposer davantage
les professionnels des medias, notamment lorsqu’ils couvrent de
tels rassemblements. Les interpellations abusives, auxquelles ils
sont frequemment soumis, devraient se multiplier, de memes que les
fouilles arbitraires : le contrôle judiciaire sur ces actions est
limite a sa plus simple expression.

“La liberte de l’information est elle aussi menacee par ce projet de
loi, qui affranchit un peu plus la police du contrôle judiciaire,
denonce Johann Bihr, responsable du bureau Europe de l’Est et Asie
centrale de Reporters sans frontières. Les abus policiers contre les
journalistes sont deja chroniques : ils ont besoin d’etre prevenus
et reprimes, certainement pas encourages. Nous exhortons les deputes
a rejeter ou amender profondement ce texte, qui sape encore un peu
plus les fondements de l’Etat de droit.”

Perquisitions, fouilles et gardes a vue sans autorisation judiciaire

Si le texte est adopte en l’etat, “en cas d’urgence”, les policiers
seront habilites a mener des perquisitions et a fouiller des individus
ou des vehicules sur simple autorisation verbale de leur superieur
hierarchique, a condition que ce dernier la confirme ensuite par
ecrit. Ce n’est qu’a posteriori, dans les 48 heures, que cet ordre
devra etre valide par un juge. Les perquisitions abusives de redactions
et de domiciles de journalistes, deja repandues, n’en seront que
facilitees, au mepris du secret des sources.

La police n’aura besoin d’aucune decision de justice pour placer
un individu en garde a vue pendant 24 heures, notamment en cas
de manifestation illegale, voire pour 48 heures en cas de “grave
menace a l’ordre public”. Les journalistes etant deja frequemment
interpelles au meme titre que des manifestants lorsqu’ils couvrent
des rassemblements, il est a craindre que cet amendement n’aggrave
leur exposition a l’arbitraire policier.

De meme, on peut craindre que les forces de l’ordre ne s’emploient
a chasser les temoins sous couvert d’une nouvelle disposition qui
les habiliterait a “assurer la protection d’une personne qui menace
sa propre securite ou celle des autres, en l’eloignant du lieu des
evenements”.

Toujours moins de contrôle sur les ecoutes telephoniques

“En cas d’urgence”, le chef de la police nationale et son homologue
des services de renseignements n’auront plus 24 mais 48 heures pour
faire valider leurs ordres de mise sur ecoute par un juge competent.

Au meme titre que la police, la gendarmerie pourra elle aussi ordonner
des mises sur ecoute sans decision de justice prealable.

Le texte soumis au Parlement est sous le feu des critiques de
l’opposition, de la societe civile, du Conseil de l’Europe et
de diverses autres organisations internationales. Son examen a
ete repousse a deux reprises par des manoeuvres d’obstruction de
l’opposition. Outre les dispositions mentionnees plus haut, le projet
de loi facilite l’usage des armes a feu par les forces de l’ordre,
et prevoit des peines de prison pour les manifestants brandissant
certains slogans et pancartes ou qui se couvrent le visage. Il
confère aux gouverneurs provinciaux des pouvoirs très etendus “en
cas d’urgence”, y compris l’autorite de diligenter des enquetes.

Sur fond de lutte acharnee entre le president Recep Tayyip Erdogan
et ses anciens allies de la confrerie Gulen, l’executif ne cesse
de resserrer son emprise sur l’appareil d’Etat et de renforcer son
arsenal repressif. La Turquie occupe la 149e place sur 180 dans
le Classement mondial 2015 de la liberte de la presse etabli par
Reporters sans frontières.

Lire aussi :

Liberte de la presse : le classement mondial 2015 de RSF

Turquie: liberte de la presse etrangère sous caution

La liberte de la presse dans la Turquie d’Erdogan : La lettre poignante
d’un journaliste en prison

Amal Clooney accuse la Turquie d’hypocrisie sur la liberte d’expression
dans le procès sur le genocide armenien

Source/Lien : RSF

http://www.collectifvan.org/article.php?r=0&id=85904
www.collectifvan.org

Statement By The World Bank Yerevan Office

STATEMENT BY THE WORLD BANK YEREVAN OFFICE

Lragir.am
Business – 19 February 2015, 12:17

Armenia’s future economic growth highly depends on the development of
a vibrant modern knowledge-based economy, foreign direct investments,
and several other factors, including addressing adequately the legacy
of economic activities in the previous era. We understand that in
this regard critical discussions are underway within the Government of
Armenia regarding the best options available to resolve long-standing
challenges in the energy and industrial sectors.

To support the Government in this process, the World Bank has
agreed to identify and bring on board a highly respectable and
globally-experienced consulting firm to assess the technical and
financial viability of Nairit chemical plant operation. The anticipated
technical and financial analyses, as well as a basic environmental
assessment, will be provided to the Government in order to make
important choices about the future of the plant.

“We have agreed with the Government to mobilize grant resources
of more than $110,000 from within the World Bank for the proposed
expertise that will ensure the quality of analyses the counterpart
needs from internationally recognized experts,” clarified Laura E.

Bailey, World Bank Country Manager for Armenia. “We had hoped to have
the work begin in early February, but it took some time to ensure
that we selected the best possible experts”.

Throughout the first phase, which is scheduled to begin on 25 February
and take two and a half months, the consulting firm will specifically
review four elements:

* An overview of the global market for the main products that could
be produced by the plant;

* An assessment of the technical feasibility of production based on
the existing plant;

* An assessment of the financial viability of production given
current cost structures; and

* A strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats (SWOT) analysis.

In the second phase, a basic environmental review of Nairit operations
will be undertaken.

The World Bank will provide close monitoring and quality review for
this analysis of Nairit, however we would like to clarify that this
analytical work will be conducted under the leadership of the Minister
for Energy and Natural Resources as part of the cooperation between
the Government of Armenia and the World Bank.

http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/economy/view/33653#sthash.R5vewSOW.dpuf

Book Donation Day: Armenian PM Gifts Vahan Hovhannisyan’s Novel To C

BOOK DONATION DAY: ARMENIAN PM GIFTS VAHAN HOVHANNISYAN’S NOVEL TO CABINET MEMBERS

13:09 19/02/2015 >> SOCIETY

On the occasion of the Book Donation Day, Armenian Prime Minister
Hovik Abrahamyan today gifted the cabinet members the novel Mandilion
by famous politician Vahan Hovhannisyan, who died recently.

“For several years already, Armenia marks Book Donation Day on the
same day as the birthday of great Armenian writer and poet Hovhannes
Tumanyan. On this occasion, I have gifted you the novel by Vahan
Hovhannisyan. It is very important that on the eve of the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide you find time and read this book,”
said the Prime Minister.

The Book Donation Day has been marked in Armenia since 2008 on the
initiative of the Armenian government and President of Armenian
Writers’ Union Levon Ananyan.

Source: Panorama.am

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Jailed Azerbaijani Journalist Publishes Letter In Washington Post

JAILED AZERBAIJANI JOURNALIST PUBLISHES LETTER IN WASHINGTON POST

10:48 * 19.02.15

The Washington Post has published a letter by Khadija Ismayilova,
the jailed Azerbaijani journalist known for her outspoken criticism
against the country’s ruling regime.

The publication says that she was arrested and given two months
pretrial detention in December for allegedly inciting a colleague to
attempt suicide.

Below is the letter:

Please forgive my long silence. I was put in solitary confinement after
my last letter was passed through these prison bars and published.

My cell was searched and all my notes, including lists of things I was
requesting from home, were taken. I have not received these back. I
guess there are many devoted readers of mine at the penitentiary. They
are taking turns reading my notes. That is why it is taking them such
a long time to return what they have taken from me.

I have not been allowed to see my family, either. The arbitrariness
of the penitentiary system allows me two phone calls each week that I
use to speak with my mother but, contrary to the law, denies her and
my lawyer regular visits. I have access to very little information. At
least I have books to keep me company. I am translating one of these —
“Children of the Jacaranda Tree” by Sahar Delijani — a novel about
history and memory that is woven around the interlocking stories of
three women imprisoned in Iran, and the people who support and are
supported by them.

Maybe I will write a sequel to tell the stories of my five cellmates,
and what their incarceration says about this country and its future.

Among us we have created a family, a tiny ecosystem that gives us
strength and helps us stay strong. My cellmates are also my new
audience, that most precious thing that every journalist must have,
even a journalist whom the government is trying to silence and pack
away. I am no longer on the air, but inside these walls I’m connected
to the struggles of Azeris in a more direct and personal way.

“Why am I here?” is a question that everyone in prison asks themselves,
no matter the crime. Corruption is the reason I am in my prison, but
the regime’s corruption, not mine. The only way to prove oppressive
regimes wrong is to continue exposing corruption, and I have promised
more investigations for 2015. Yes, there is a price to pay, but it
is worth it! My arrest proves one more time that we must build a new
reality where telling the truth will not require courage.

But what about the real crimes — the theft, the contempt for the law?

What pushes people to commit these crimes?

In a country where unpunished crimes are at a record high and deeply
rooted in all levels of government, there is a simple logic that
prompts people to commit crimes. “If it is good, why can’t I do it?;
if it is bad, why are they doing it?” And then the conclusion: “If
they can do it, I’ll do it, too.” This is the mentality bred by a
morally bankrupt regime that has turned my country’s justice system
into a corrupt machine.

But the heart of the matter goes deeper than this. It is about power
and greed, beginning with the president of the country down to the
petty officials who showcase the most dramatic examples of corruption
and impunity. This a country where money and power can cover up any
crime, and where truth and deception have traded places. As a result,
there are some 100 political prisoners behind bars in Azerbaijan.

Think about the significance: In a very small, yet strategic and
potentially volatile country bordering Russia and Iran, 100 of its
best and brightest, its most aware, active and internationally engaged
citizens have been removed from public life for the crime of seeking
decency and fair play.

We also constantly ask ourselves where are we going, and what will
we get in the end? In Kurdakhani prison, where I am now, the usual
answer is three-to-five or five-to-12 years in jail. But my answer
is that there is no end. The fight between good and evil goes on,
and the most important thing is that this fight should not end. If we
can continue to reject the thinking that is imposed on us and believe
that human dignity is not for sale, then we are the winners, and they,
our jailers both inside and outside prison, are the losers.

Prison is not frightening for those trying to right a twisted scale,
or for those who are subject to threats for doing the right thing. We
see clearly what we must fight for.

http://www.tert.am/en/news/2015/02/19/ism/1594389

Nairit Plant Employees: "We Aren’t Able To Survive Any More"

NAIRIT PLANT EMPLOYEES: “WE AREN’T ABLE TO SURVIVE ANY MORE”

13:03 | February 19,2015 | Economy

Today “Nairit” plant employees are again in front of the Government
building. They are demanding their 18-24 months’ salary and they note
that if the relevant departments wished, the issue would be solved
in a day.

The employees note that they have appeared in very difficult social
condition and aren’t able to survive any more. They don’t complain
that they have been released from their jobs, but that they haven’t
been given their final payments.

It should be reminded, that from February 6 about 2000 people have
been released from their jobs.

http://en.a1plus.am/1206352.html

Even Firewood Is A Dream For People Living In Temporary Shelters (Vi

EVEN FIREWOOD IS A DREAM FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN TEMPORARY SHELTERS (VIDEO)

12:50 | February 19,2015 | Social

During winter months life turns into a real battle for the people
living in temporary shelters of Gyumri. Under conditions of poverty
and unemployment, obtaining firewood has become an unsolvable problem
for most of them. Because of inhuman conditions, hundreds of people
and especially children have got incurable diseases.

Within the frames of the project “Heat for the families living in
temporary shelters”, “Shirak Center” continues providing firewood to
the socially vulnerable families of Gyumri.

The video is about the provision of firewood and difficult life of
people living in temporary shelters.

“Shirak Center”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

http://en.a1plus.am/1206350.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ7sDPZE_4k

Over 80 Advisors Are Employed At The RA State Agencies

OVER 80 ADVISORS ARE EMPLOYED AT THE RA STATE AGENCIES

February 19 2015

Some of them even beat the record by the number of assistants Recently,
there are many complaints that the government agencies are excessively
overstaffed. And we decided to make a small “tour” to the official
websites of the state agencies to find out how many people give advice
to one official.

According to the president.am website, the president of Armenia
has 9 advisors, the next line is “shared” between Hovik Abrahamyan
and the Parliament Speaker Galust Sahakyan – 8 advisors each. It is
true that all the officials, in addition to advisors, have also an
assistant(s), but in this respect, the NA Speaker is the richest by
the number of them. According to parliament.am website, in addition
to numerous advisors, he also has 7 assistant and 4 referees. Health
Minister Armen Muradyan, according to the website of the Ministry
of Health, has 5 advisors; Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan – 6,
Minister of Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan – 3, Minister of Energy and
Natural Resources Yervand Zakharyan – 2, Minister of Culture Hasmik
Poghosyan – 2, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Gabriel Ghazaryan –
3, Minister of Territorial Governance and Emergency Situations Armen
Yeritsyan – 1. Urban and Finance Ministers advisers are not “reflected”
in the official websites of the agencies, however, this does not mean
that Narek Sargsyan and Gagik Khachatryan do not have advisors, or it
is not the case that listing less number of advisers meets the reality.

In addition, Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan has
4 advisor, Prosecutor General Gevorg Kostanyan has 3 advisors,
Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Artem Asatryan – 3, and the
Justice Minister Hovhannes Manukyan – 2.

According to gov.am website, the Ministry of international economic
integration and reforms does not have a website, the government website
shows only Vache Gabrielyan’s biography. According to the same source,
Minister of Environment Aramayis Grigoryan has 2 advisors, Minister
of Economy Karen Cheshmarityan – 3, Minister of Diaspora Hranush
Hakobyan – 3, Minister of Transport and Communications Gagik Beglaryan
– 2, Yerevan City Mayor Taron Margaryan – 7 advisors. To the point,
the officials’ advisors’ list includes the names of already known
officials, or the names of their children and relatives. Not counting
the advisors to the Government adjacent agencies and defense minister,
it turns out that about 80 people are busy with giving advice to
high-level “boss”. Interestingly, if their number is cut down,
will the situation in the country become worse, or on the contrary,
be easier in terms of payment of excessive wages. Let’s not forget
also that the deputy ministers have not only advisers, but also
assistants. But this remains for another time.

Gohar HAKOBYAN

Read more at:

From: A. Papazian

http://en.aravot.am/2015/02/19/168920/

Ohanyan Talks About Armenia-US Defense Cooperation With Farkas

OHANYAN TALKS ABOUT ARMENIA-US DEFENSE COOPERATION WITH FARKAS

YEREVAN, February 19. /ARKA/. Armenia’s minister of defense Seyran
Ohanyan discussed defense cooperation issues with US deputy assistant
secretary of defense Evelyn Farkas on Wednesday, the press office of
the Armenian ministry of defense reported.

Farkas arrived in Armenia with the US delegation headed by Assistant
Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland.

Among members of the delegation were high-ranking officials from US
Army Europe Headquarters.

The sides talked about issues of mutual interest within the defense
cooperation between the countries, says the report.

Ohanyan and Farkas pointed out that the cooperation develops
dynamically in atmosphere of transparency and mutual trust.

Regional security issues were discussed at the meeting. -0–

http://arka.am/en/news/politics/ohanyan_talks_about_armenia_us_defense_cooperation_with_farkas/#sthash.qtFxPS7k.dpuf